Brush forming machine



oct. 17, 1939. C, E SMITH "2,176,861

BRUSH FORMING MACHINE Filed April 3, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l /7 .34 /j zo ff# 5 a /2 33 o" f 25 Laj- 28 /3- o [5j/AX www Oct. 1939. c. F. swim-l BRUSH FORMING MACHINE Filed April 5, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 z/E/V O/P TTO/PNEY Patented ct. 17, 1939 PATENT oFFlcE BRUSH FORMING M'ACHINE Curtiss F. Smith, West Hartford, Conn., assig'nor to Fuller Brush Company, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application April 3, 1937, Serial No. 134,811

17 Claims.

My invention relates to the type of machines Aemployed for forming brushes from strips of material within which the bristles are secured and from which they project, and an object of my invention, among others, is the production of a machine of this vtype that shall be simple in nstruction and particularly effective in opera- One form of a machine embodying my invention and in the construction and use of which theobjects herein setl out, as well as others, may be attained is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a View in side elevation of my improved brush forming machine.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a view in section on a plane denoted by the dotted lines 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a view in section on a plane de noted by the dotted lines 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is Va view on enlarged scale illustrating the operation of forming a brush.

Figure 61s a top plan view illustrating a modiiication of my invention.

Figure '7 is a view in side elevation of this latter form.

Figure 8 is a view on enlarged scale illustrating the operation of the machine shown in Figs. 6 and Fl. l

My invention contemplates the formation oi brushes of substantially Vcylindrical shapes by ilrst coiling into indefinite lengths a strip of material within which the bristles are secured and from which they project, which lengths of f brush form may be subsequently cut up into suitable pieces such as may be required for any particular purpose, said strip being in the form of a trough composed preferably of metal and within which the bristles are doubled and secured by a pinching action and from the open side of which they project.

A machine embodying my invention and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises asupporting frame I0 which infact is a plate of any suitable material, preferably metal, having flanges II on opposite sides comprising rests to support the frame in an upright position. A hub i2 projects from the front face of the frame to receive a'mandrel supporting rod I3 firmly secured to and projecting from the hub to support a mandrel I4, as shown in Figs.

(Cl. 30o-2) a head i8 secured to the spindle and having a guide rotatably mounted at its outer end.. The head I8 is preferably'formed in halves applied to the spindle from opposite sides, as shown in Fig. 3 ofthe drawings of a similar structure which cooperates with said head I8 now to be described. These halves are secured together as by screws, as shown in Fig. l, and the spindle may be supported in' the bearing in any desired manner. Said spindle has a threaded hole in the 1U end opposite the head I8 to receive an. adjusting screw I9 heldagainst lengthwise movement in a lug 20 projecting from a iianged extension from the bearing block I5. The guide roller just referred to comprises two members 2i rotatably 16 Vmounted in the head I8 and relatively angularly disposed as shown by similar guide rollers illustrated in Fig. 3, the cooperating edges of the rollers being shaped to receive a metal strip 22 which is clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. 20

The base- 23 of another roller supporting spindle is pivotally attached to the frame I0 as by means of a bolt 24 which comprises said pivot, and this base supports, preferably integral therewith, a bearing 26 for .a spindle 26 project- 25 ing diagonally downward and with its axis adapted to be aligned with the axis of the mandrel I3 and extended across the 'axis of the mandrel andas shown in Fig. l of the drawings. A head 21 for members of a guide roller 28 is 3u secured to thel end of the spindle 26 said head and roller being of a construction similar to that just describedas to the head I8 and roller 2i. An arcuate slot is formed in the base I0 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings, 35 a clamping bolt 23 extending through said slot into the base 23 for the purpose of clamping the latter in any desired position, this adjustment being for a purpose to be presently described. 'I'he bearings I6 and 25 are split at their 40 outer sides, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 ofthe drawings, to receive clamping bolts to secure the spindles I I and 26 from turning movement, the bolts being loosened to permit the spindles to be rotated for adjustment purposes for a function 45 to be hereinafter described. An adjusting screw 30 is held against lengthwise movementin an ear 3| projecting from the base 2,3, said screw being threaded' in to the end of the spindle 26 for the purpose of adjusting the latter length- 50 wise in the same manner as described with respect to the spindle l1. A wedge 32 is inserted in a groove in the under side of the base 23, as vparticularly shown in'Fig. 3, this wedge having a slot through which the bolt 24 projects. The 55 'The machine is intended to produce brushesv or brush structures of dinerent sizes in diameter, and as shown in full and dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings. When the brush structure is made to closely t the mandrel the axis of the spindle 2G is in line with and the line of such axis passes laterally through the axis of the mandrel. If a brush structure of larger diameter is to be formed then the angle of the axis of thespindle 26 is changed so that it may loe in line with the axial center of the brushstructure to he formed.

Whenl a brush is to be formed with the several coils quite close together, as shown in Fig. 5, the axis of the spindle 2S will be disposed as shown in Figs. l and 2 oi' the drawings, the guide rolls titi being located slightly' out of line with and at one side of the guide rolls 2i.. It the coils are to be located farther apart, then by manipulating the adjusting screw 34 the wedge 8L? lis outwardly drawn underneath the hase it) with a result that the latter is moved so that the guide rolls 28 are located more out of line with the guide rolls 2i'. A result will he that the several coils of the hrush structure will be located at such distance apart es may he desired, the wedge in iact being used to change the pitch of the spiral brush to be produced.

It will be noted that in these operations the location of the mandrel is vnot changed as it is intended for support of the formed brush structure only inv opposition to the two sets of guide rolls iii-2&2. The position ci the spindle 'The 26, however, is changed in two directions. brush strip 22 may he fed to the guide rolls @i in any suitable manner, as herein shown feed' rolls 35 being employed which rolls are in fact a part of a machine for forming the strip 22.

it lsnot essential, however, that the strip shall he taken directly from the strip making meu chine as obviously it might be fed to the roll 2i hy. hand or otherwise.

Astrip being forced through the space 'between the mandrel and the rolls Eil- 28, as by the rolls 35 or otherwise, is curved on an arc imposed by the relative positions of the rolls 21-28 and also their positions relatively to the mandrel it, and the metal comprising the strip 22 being sumciently ductlle, this arc is malntained throughout the length ci' the structure formed by the operation of the machine.

That form of the device shown in Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive is much the same as that hereinbefore described, the machine, however, being equipped to produce a brush structure of the form shown in Fig. 8 in which the bristles project from the strip 22 substantially lengthwise of the mandi-els rather than crosswise thereof as shown in the structure in Fig. 5, thereby producing a structure in which the bristles assume a somewhat conical form. In this form of themachine the frame comprises a base 36 from which oppositely disposed sides 37 and a front 38 rise to support a table 39. The guiding and :forming mechanisms are disposed in horizontal positions rather than in vertical positions as shown in Figures 1 to 4, and the mandrel extends vertically instead of horizontally. For this reason many of the reference numerals applied to Figs. 1 to 4 are employed in connection with Figs. 6 to 8. The hub li' projectsupwardly from the table to support themandrel rod` I l which bearsv the mandrel Il. .The ,bearing block l is v supported by v'the side of the brush strip 22 instead of with the back of said strip as in the other form of the machine. The heads 42-43 for the support oi' the guide rolls are forked to receive said rollers between the branches of said forks and as shown in Fig; 8.

The difference between the two machines having been now set forth a further and detailed description of the machine shown in Figs. 6 to 8 is omitted, as its structure will be readily understood in a comparison with the other form of the machine 'which bears the same reference characters. f

The brush structures formed in this machine may be cut up into as many different lengths as may he desired and embodying as many of the coils as may he wished for. In other structures a single coil may he employed if desired so that the strip from which the hristlesf project will form a ring the ends of which may he secured together.

- in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes have described the principles of operation of my invention, together with the device which I now consider .to represent the best embodiment thereof; but Ii desire to have it understoodrthat the device shown is only illustrative and that the invention may be carried out hy other means and applied to uses other than those above set out.

claim:

1. A brush making machine including s. support for a brush strip comprising a base with bristles projecting therefrom, a guide to engage said base and press said strip against said support as the strip is forced into the space between the guide and support, and a second guide to direct said strip in a circular direction relatively to said support, said guide being positioned relatively to the rst mentioned guide to bend and vset said strip to a predetermined curvature and to cause movement of said strip in a circular path around said support independently thereof.

2. A brush making machine including a support for a brush strip comprising a base with bristles projecting therefrom, a guide to engage said hasel and press said strip against said support as the strip is forced into the space between the guide and support, and a second guide to engage and direct said strip in a. circular direction relativelyto said support and out of` line with itsdirection of movement thereto to produce a coil, said guide being positioned relatively to the first mentioned guide to bend and .set said strip to a predetermined curvature and to cause movement of said strip in a circular path around said support independently thereof.

3. A brush making machine including a support for a brush strip comprising a base with bristles projecting therefrom, a guide roll to engage said base and press said s trip against said support as the strip is forced into the space between the guide and support, and a second guide roll to 'direct said strip in a circular direction away from the first mentioned lroll and relatively to said support, said second guide roll being positioned relatively to the rst guide to bend and set said strip to a predetermined curvature and to cause movement of said strip in in a circular path around said support independently thereof.

4. A brush /making machine including a sup-..- port for a brush strip comprising Va base with bristles projecting therefrom, a guide roll to engage said base and press said strip against said support as the strip is forced into the space between the guide and support, and a second guide roll to engage said strip andv direct it in a cir cular direction relatively to said support and out of line with its direction thereto to `produce a coil, Asaid second guide roll being positioned relatively to' the iirst guide to bend and set said strip to a predetermined curvature and to cause i to ilt said base and press said strip against said port for abrush strip comprising a base with bristles projecting therefrom, a guide to engage said base and press said strip against said support as the strip is forced into the space between the guide and support, a second guide to engage said strip and direct it infa circular direction relatively to said support, said second guide being positioned relatively to the rst guide to bend and set said strip to a predetermined curvature and to cause movement of said strip in a circular path around said support independently thereof and means for adjustably psitioning said second guide to direct said strip out of line with its direction of movement to said support.

7.. A brush making machine including a support for a brush strip comprising a base with bristles projectingtherefrom, a guide to engage said base` to press said strip against said support as the strip is forced into the space between the guide and support, a second guide roll to engage said strip and direct it in a circular direction, said second guide being. positioned relatively to the first mentioned guide to bend and set said strip to a predetermined curvature and to cause movement of said strip in a circular path around said support independently thereof, a spindle to support said guide roll, and means for rotatably adjustably positioning said spindle to incline said roll to direct said strip out of line with its directiona of movement to said support. i.

being mounted in cooperative relation to s aid support, means for rotatably adjusting said spindle, a head secured to said spindle, and a guide roll rotatably mounted in said head and vpositioned relatively to said guide to bend and set'said guide strip to a predetermined curvature and to cause movement of said strip in a circular path around said supportindependently thereof. Y y

9. A brush making machine including a sup- .port for a brush strip comprising a base with bristles projecting therefrom, a guide to engage said base and press said strip against said support as the strip is forced into the space between the guide and support, a second guide to engage said strip and direct it in a circular direction relatively to said support, said second guide being positionedrelatively to the first mentioned guide to bend and set said strip to a predetermined curvature and to cause movement of said strip in a circular path around said support independently thereof and means for changing the positon of the last mentioned guide to change the radius of the wire and` thereby vary the diameter of the coil formed in said machine.

10. A brush making machine including a support for a brush strip comprising a base with bristles projecting therefrom, a guide to engage said base and press said strip against said support as the strip is forced into the space between the guide and support, a second guide to direct said strip in a circular direction relatively to said support, said second guide being positioned relatively to the rst mentioned guide to bend and set said strip to a predetermined curvature and to cause movement of said strip in a circular path around said support independently thereof, means for changing the position of the last mentioned guide by moving it in onedirection rela tively to said supp0rt,and another means for changing its position by movement in another direction relatively to said support.

11. A brush making machine including a support for a brush strip comprising a base with bristles projecting therefrom, a guide to engage said base and press said strip against said support as the strip is forced into the space between the guide and support, a head supported in cooperative relation to said support, a second guide supported by said head to engage said strip and direct it in a circular direction relatively to said support, said second guide being positioned relatively to the rst mentioned guide said base and press said strip against said support as the strip is forced into the space between the guide and support, a spindle supported in cooperative relation to said support, means for rotatably adjustably positioning said spindle on an axis passing laterally through the axis of said support, a head secured to said spindle, a guide roll mounted in said head to engage said strip and direct it in a circular direction, said guide roll beingrpositioned relatively to the first mentioned guide to bend and set said strip to a predetermined curvature and to cause movement of said strip vin a circular path around said support independently thereof, and means for adjusting said spindle in a direction lengthwise of its axis.

13. A brush making machine including a support for a brush strip comprising a base with bristles projecting therefrom, a guide to engage said base and press said strip against said support as the strip is forced into the space between the guide and support, a pivotally mounted base, a spindle supported in bearings on said base, means for adjusting the position of said spindle lengthwise of said beatings, means for retaining said spindle in different positions of adjustment.. a head secured to said spindle. means for rotatably adjustably positioning said spindlen an axis passing laterally through the axis of vsaid support, and a guide roll rotatably mountedminssaid head to engage sai'd strip and guide it in a 'circular direction relatively to said support, said guide roll being positioned relatively to the vrsi; mentioned guide to bend and set said strip to a predetermined curvature and to cause movement of said strip' in a'circular path around said support independently thereof.

14. A brush making machine including a sup port for*- a brush strip comprising a base with bristles projecting therefrom, a guide to engage said base and press said strip against said sup port, vas the strip is forced into the space between the guide and support, a guide to engage 'said strip and direct it in a circular direction relatively to said support, means for adjusting the position of the last mentioned guide to change the direction of movement of said `strip and'y thereby produce a series of laterally spaced convolutions inlsaid strip, and means for adjustlng the position of said last mentioned guide to vary the space. between said convolutions.

15. A brush maklngvmachine including a support for a'brush strip comprising a base Vwith bristles projecting therefrom, a guide to engage said base and press said strip against said support as the strip is forced into the space between the guide and support, Aa. guide roll tolenssse said strip. said roll being positioned todirect said strip in a circular direction relatively to said support and also in a lateral direction to produce a engagesaidbaseandpresssaidstripagainstnid .mandrel as the strip is forced into the space between the guide and mandrela guide supporting base adjustably pivotally mounted on said frame, a guide supporting slide lengthwise acl'-A justably mounted on said base, a spindle rotatably adjustably mounted on said slide, a head secured to said spindle, a grooved guide rollerv rotatably mounted in said head, and means for axially adjusting said spindle. A 17. A brush making machine including a supporting frame, a mandrel projecting from said frame for the support of a brush strip comprising a base with bristles projecting therefrom, a guide roller shaped toilt the side of the base of said strip and 'support it against the mandrel as the strip is forced into the space between the roller and mandrel, a guide 'supporting base adjustablypivotallymounted on said frame, a spindie mounted in bearings on said base, means for rotatably adjusting said spindle, a head secured to said spindle, a roller rotatably mounted insaid head and shaped to fit the side of the base of said strip, and means for axially adjusting said spindle.,

cun'rrss r. surrnr. Y 

